FOURIER-TRANSFORM RAMAN-SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF A POLYIMIDE CURING REACTION

Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the curing reaction of a polyimide bonding agent, the Ciba-Geigy Matrimid(R) system. Major Raman bands were assigned by comparison to spectra for small model molecules, by use of ab initio calculations, and by reference to previous literature. The set of FT-Raman spectra taken at various intervals during the curing process was modeled by principal component analysis (PCA). Cure percentage determined by differential scanning calorimetry was then regressed against scores on the first principal component for the different polymer samples. The PCA and regression results summarized significant trends in the FT-Raman spectra and led to a better understanding of the curing mechanism.